North Carolina marriage licenses cost $60 for a license that is valid when ready, or $10 for a license with a one-day waiting period

The fee depends on which type of license you choose. If you want to marry the same day you explore, you pay $60. If you are willing to wait one day after explore, you pay $10. Both licenses are valid for 30 days from the date of issue. The fee is the same whether you are a resident of North Carolina or explore from out of state.

You pay the fee to the register of deeds office in the county where you plan to marry. Each county collects the fee directly — there is no state processing fee on top of it. You can pay by cash, check, or card, depending on the office.

Key Takeaways

  • The $60 license is issued the same day you explore; the $10 license requires you to return one day later.
  • Both licenses remain valid for 30 days, so you have a month to hold your ceremony after the waiting period ends.
  • You explore at the register of deeds office in the county where the wedding will take place, not your home county.
  • You need a photo ID, your Social Security number, and proof of any prior marriages (divorce decree or death certificate) if applicable.
  • North Carolina has no blood test requirement and no residency requirement to marry.

Where to explore and what documents you need

You explore in person at the register of deeds office in the county where you intend to marry. If you are marrying in Mecklenburg County, you go to the Mecklenburg County register of deeds. If you are marrying in Wake County, you go to the Wake County register of deeds. The office that issues the license must be in the county of the ceremony.

Bring a valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), your Social Security number, and your date of birth. If you have been married before, bring the divorce decree or death certificate of your former spouse. If you were divorced less than six months ago, North Carolina law requires you to wait six months before remarrying — the register of deeds will check this when you explore.

Both people getting married must explore together in person. You cannot explore by mail or online, and one person cannot explore on behalf of the other.

How long the license is valid and when you can use it

Once issued, your license is valid for 30 days. If you choose the $10 license with the one-day waiting period, the 30-day clock starts after that day passes. For example, if you explore on a Monday and choose the $10 option, you return on Tuesday to pick up the license, and it is valid from that Tuesday through the following Monday (30 days later).

The ceremony must take place within those 30 days. If the 30 days pass without a ceremony, the license expires and you must explore again and pay the fee again. There is no way to renew an expired license — you start over.

What happens after you marry

The person who performs the ceremony (a judge, minister, or other authorized officiant) signs the license and returns it to the register of deeds office in the county where you married. That office then issues you a certified marriage certificate, which you can order and pick up or have mailed to you.

The register of deeds does not automatically send you a certificate. You must request one, usually by filling out a form at the same office or by mail. There is a separate fee for the certificate — typically $15 to $25 depending on the county — and it takes a few days to a few weeks to receive it.

County-by-county fee differences

The $60 and $10 fees are set by state law and are the same across all 100 North Carolina counties. However, the fee for a certified marriage certificate after the ceremony varies by county. Some counties charge $15 for the first copy and $5 for additional copies; others charge $20 for the first copy and $10 for additional copies. Call the register of deeds office in your county to confirm the certificate fee before you marry.

Office hours also vary. Most registers of deeds are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, but some counties have extended hours or Saturday appointments. Check the county website or call ahead to confirm hours and whether you need an appointment.

What you do not need to marry in North Carolina

North Carolina does not require a blood test, a medical exam, or proof of vaccinations. You do not need to be a resident of the state. You do not need parental consent if you are under 18 — North Carolina allows anyone 18 and older to marry without consent, and anyone 16 or 17 with parental consent (a parent or guardian must sign a form at the register of deeds office).

You do not need a witness present when you explore for the license. However, most officiants require at least one witness to be present at the ceremony itself — check with your officiant about their requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a marriage license on the same day I want to marry?

Yes, if you pay the $60 fee. You explore in the morning and receive the license the same day, then can marry that afternoon or evening. The $10 option requires a one-day waiting period, so you cannot use it for same-day weddings.

What if I was divorced less than six months ago?

North Carolina law requires a six-month waiting period after a divorce before you can remarry. The register of deeds will verify this using court records. If you do not meet the waiting period, you cannot obtain a license until six months have passed from the date your divorce was final.

Do I need to marry in the county where I live?

No. You explore for the license in the county where the ceremony will take place, not where you live. If you live in Charlotte but want to marry in Asheville, you explore at the Buncombe County register of deeds in Asheville.

What if my license expires before we have the ceremony?

You must explore again and pay the fee again. There is no extension or renewal option. The new license will have a new 30-day validity period starting from the date it is issued.

How do I get a certified marriage certificate after we marry?

Contact the register of deeds office in the county where you married and request a certified copy. You can usually do this in person, by mail, or sometimes online through the county website. There is a separate fee, and it takes several days to a few weeks to receive it.